Galveston College’s Continuing Education Division graduated the 2017 Leadership Galveston class consisting of twenty-one professionals that experienced a seven session, three month exposure to aspects of Galveston Island’s government, community and history. Galveston College has coordinated the program in partnership with the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce that originated the program in 1984 through the inspiration of former Galveston College President John Pickelman. The Chamber ran the program for six years between 1984 and 1990, delivering many professionals to the political and community service arena in Galveston. Galveston College reinvented the program in 1995 and has now graduated 341 Leadership Galveston candidates over a twenty - one year period.

The Leadership Galveston 2017 class met on every other Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. from January 13 through April 7 of 2017. One hour sessions offered community-wide visits to the City Manager, the Galveston Police and Fire Chiefs, the Galveston County Health District Ambulance Service, the Galveston Arts Center, Grand Opera House, Galveston Historical Foundation, City Airport, Moody Gardens, Galveston Humane Society, UTMB, Texas A and M –Galveston, Galveston College, Galveston Economic Development Partnership, Galveston County Daily News, Galveston Housing Authority, Galveston Parks Board, Chamber of Commerce, Port of Galveston, Harbor Tour, and Galveston Independent School District.

The Leadership Galveston program is designed to expose participants to Galveston’s institutions and organizations and to the various leadership styles of the executives and elected officials that manage those institutions and organizations. It is also designed to provide a pool of educated citizens who could serve on city boards committees or in elected positions.

Galveston College, the University of Texas Medical Branch – Galveston, and the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce will continue the Leadership Galveston program with other partners in the community. To indicate your interest in participating in this program call Joe Huff, Director of Public Affairs at Galveston College, 409-944-1302 or jhuff@gc.edu.